|
|
|
More Headline News
|
CBK might come back to Parliament?
Thursday, 24 November 2005 - 3:22 AM SL Time
Speculation was rife last night that former President Chandrika Kumaratunga might return to Parliament as a backbencher filling the national list vacancy created by the death of late Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.
However, President Mahinda Rajapakse who preferred his close ally Dallas Alahapperuma to fill the national list vacancy has sent the papers to Ms. Kumaratunga through party General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena for approval.
The Daily Mirror reliably learns that Ms. Kumaratunga apparently wanted to fill the vacancy by none other than herself and told the SLFP General Secretary to reserve the national list slot in Parliament for her.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 83 )
Mahinda gives peace process priority
Thursday, 24 November 2005 - 3:10 AM SL Time
President Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday said that retired career services diplomat Dr. John Gunaratne would take over the Peace Secretariat. Gunaratne, who served the Secretariat headed by Ambassador Bernard Tillekeratne and subsequently Jayantha Dhanapala, who recently quit the post citing personal reasons, is expected to take over the high profile assignment shortly.
The President made this announcement at the first Cabinet meeting at the old Parliament immediately after the swearing in of the Cabinet of Ministers. Party sources said that Rajapakse also said that he would summon an all-party-conference to discuss the peace process. The sources said that the Cabinet also decided to provide farmers with heavily subsidised fertiliser at 350 rupees a bag. Rajapakse also appointed a Cabinet Sub Committee, headed by Agriculture Minister Maithripala Sirisena, to finalise the fertliser subsidy. The committee includes Investments and Enterprise Development Minister Rohitha Bogollagama Vocational and Technical Training Minister Piyasena Gamage and Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B.Jayasundera. Party sources said that Bogollagama who switched allegiance over a year ago had been given a vital portfolio responsible for the BOI.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 67 )
New Ministers sworn in
Wednesday, 23 November 2005 - 9:18 PM SL Time
Twenty five Cabinet Ministers of the Mahinda Rajapaksa government were sworn in before the President today.
In addition 23 non-Cabinet Ministers and 29 Deputy Ministers also took oaths today bringing the total number of government parliamentarians holding ministerial portfolios to 77.
The President has retained the portfolios of Finance and Defence.
Mangala Samaraweera who was the coordinator and media spokesman of the Rajapaksa's election campaign has been offered the Foreign Affairs portfolio in addition to his earlier portfolios of Ports and Aviation.
A.H.M.Fowie, a Rajapaksa loyalist during the Chandrika administration has been given two prominent portfolios- Railway and Transport and Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development. Other known Rajapaksa confidantes, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and Maithreepala Sirisena have also been well treated.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 84 )
|
More Headline News
|
|
|
|
|
Politics
|
LTTE politically assassinates Ranil: Major blunder by Polls Chief
Friday, 25 November 2005 - 2:06 AM SL Time
At the Elections Secretariat on Friday afternoon after Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake had formally announced the official results of the 2005 Presidential elections (raising a few eye-brows from the old-school public servants when he asked for a personal favour from the new President), President-elect Mahinda Rajapakse in his acceptance speech said the moment reminded him of the mandate received by S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike in 1956.
Rajapakse would have been all of eleven years of age when the '1956 revolution' dawned. But if the fifth Executive President of Sri Lanka is hoping to usher in yet another revolution, he will have to seriously reflect on the circumstances that swept him into power last Thursday.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
UNP blames polls chief, plans petition against Mahinda
Friday, 25 November 2005 - 2:01 AM SL Time
The UNP leadership will meet tomorrow to take a decision on a court petition against President Mahinda Rajapakse`s victory at Thursday`s presidential poll, UNP Deputy General Secretary Tissa Attanayake told The Sunday Times last night.
He said the failure to conduct a free and fair poll in the north and east and the refusal by the Commissioner of Elections to hold a re-poll in the areas where polling was affected, allegations of misuse of state property and the misuse of state media were among some of the points to be considered for the petition, he said.
The UNP accused Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake of failing to fulfill his promise that he would order a re-poll in any area if there was substantial evidence of intimidation or harassment of voters.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Peace talks after obtaining southern consensus - Govt.
Friday, 25 November 2005 - 1:59 AM SL Time
The government said yesterday that it was keen on resuming peace talks, with the LTTE, after obtaining a consensus among southern political parties.
Newly appointed media minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa told yesterday`s cabinet press briefing, that the government of Mahinda Rajapakse was keen on resuming peace talks with the LTTE, but it needed some time to obtain the views of southern political parties.
`We want to talk to all the political parties that matter. All aspects need to be discussed before we meet the LTTE`, an unusually tight lipped Yapa said.
The Government Peace Secretariat, he said, would be headed by John Gunaratne following the resignation of Jayantha Dhanapala.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
|
|
|
|
|
Editorial News
|
Old wine, new steward
Friday, 25 November 2005 - 1:57 AM SL Time
Today, elsewhere in this newspaper, a writer makes reference to `Chief of the School of Cynics`, Diogenes, who throughout his life searched with a lantern in the daylight for an honest man. His objective was to expose the vanity and selfishness of man. A modern day cynic in Sri Lanka may look with a lantern in the daylight not for an honest man but a government parliamentarian who is not a minister.
The new (') cabinet consisting of twenty five members may be smaller in size in comparison to the previous one, but their deputies, numbering thirty and twenty five state ministers account for almost the entire parliamentary group of the UPFA excluding the JVP.
They must be singing that popular Sinhala number in chorus, Api okkoma rajavaru`85 (All of us are kings`85!).
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Of hawks and a dove in the soup
Thursday, 24 November 2005 - 3:19 AM SL Time
The western media, the peace lobby and their fellow travellers have done it! They have dubbed President Mahinda Rajapakse a hawk. How have they come to such a conclusion so soon' What he really intends to do by way of resolving the conflict remains to be seen. A man, we believe, should be judged by his deeds and not words.
In 1994, President Kumaratunga was hailed as a dove. But within a few months of assuming office, the dove metamorphosed into a hawk. She waged war on the LTTE, which met its match in her. With the passage of time she turned into a cross between a hawk and a dove (supposing such a thing is ever possible) and towards the end of her second term became a confirmed dove cooing for political reasons. Even her worst critics (read the UNP) began to sing hosannas to her, when they knew her presidential days were numbered and went to the extent of offering her a job after retirement if Ranil became President.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 3 )
First test for Rajapakse govt.
Wednesday, 23 November 2005 - 2:26 AM SL Time
Heavy rains have wreaked havoc in many parts of the country. Floods are reported from Trincomalee, Jaffna, Horana and several other areas. The weather gods have not spared even the tsunami victims in temporary shelters, which have been flooded in the East. Fear is expressed that areas like Ratnapura may experience landslides and warnings have been issued. Rivers are swelling menacingly. Five deaths were reported at the time of writing.
If the inclement weather prevails during the next few days, there will be disaster. Natural disasters albeit of small scale often catch us on the wrong foot as preparedness is alien to us. So, it behoves all those concerned to be prepared for the worst case scenario to forestall a crisis situation.
Two persons were killed in Colombo yesterday when an old boundary wall collapsed. Where had the city fathers been' Isn`t it their duty to detect constructions teetering on the verge of collapse and pull them down before lives are lost' During rains and strong winds, the green giants, adorning streets, also get thrown off their roots or their branches fall. They have killed and maimed several people. Their canopies should be pruned and decaying branches removed to ensure public safety and help the ageing giants to withstand wind and rain.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 8 )
|
|
|
|
|
| Security |
Rajapakse faces a tough Prabha
Friday, 25 November 2005 - 2:04 AM SL Time
At the auspicious hour of 1.21p.m. yesterday, Percy Mahinda Rajapakse became Sri Lanka`s fifth executive President.
Today, as he begins his first full day in office in this exalted position, he will be mindful that the challenges before him are more formidable and even unprecedented. He would have to cope with some critical issues, the magnitude of which his four predecessors did not face. Nowhere is it more strongly reflected than in the country`s defence and security establishment.
Hours after the good news reached him at `Temple Trees` that he was on the road to victory at Thursday`s presidential elections; Mr Rajapakse appears to have been preoccupied. His focus was on his three priorities - the peace process, an improved law and order situation and development. In tackling the peace process he seems to be mindful of two aspects - firstly, as President, to prosecute it on `a new approach` for which he has won a new mandate. He pledged in his `Mahinda Chinthanaya` (Mahinda`s Vision) to talk with political parties in Parliament, the clergy and identify issues within three months. He wants to seek a solution in keeping with the unitary character of Sri Lanka. In the interim he also wants to hold `direct talks` with the LTTE and has expressed hopes of meeting its leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 1 )
Campaign to end violence against women ignores those used as suicide bombers. `We Can` but not where Tigers are concerned
Friday, 25 November 2005 - 1:52 AM SL Time
WE CAN Campaign Alliance will launch a 16-day drive today (25) emphasising the need to end violence against women.
The campaign will take place in Colombo, Matara and the northern and eastern provinces including LTTE-held areas. `Throughout the campaign, White Bands with the slogan End Violence Against Women will be distributed by us,` spokesperson Manori Perera Gunatilleke told The Island yesterday.
In Colombo the White Bands can be collected at Cargills outlets (Majestic City, Staple street, Mt.Lavinia Big City, Park Road, Nawala, Nugegoda and Palwatte and Odel near Town Hall. In the provinces these can be collected from Oxfam offices.
Ms. Gunatilleke said that their campaign would focus primarily on domestic violence. `We are concerned about growing violence,` she said referring to what she termed as violence in relationship. Fielding questions, she emphasised that their campaign would not tackle the forcible recruitment, training and deployment of girls, the majority of them being students. `That is a different issue and should be tackled separately,` she asserted, declining to comment on the use of women suicide cadres, in some cases against women as in the case of assassination bid on former President Chandrika Kumaratunga.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
TNA meets to discuss Mahinda`s peace plans
Thursday, 24 November 2005 - 3:25 AM SL Time
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is scheduled to meet either this afternoon or tomorrow morning to discuss the future stand to be taken by the party with a new government in power.
TNA MP Mavai Senathirajah said the meeting was originally scheduled for this afternoon.
But may be postponed for tomorrow as the floods experienced in most parts of the country have delayed the arrival of TNA MPs from the East.
Mr. Senathirajah said the party will also discuss the outcome of the speech expected to be delivered by President Mahinda Rajapakse in parliament tomorrow.
Parliament meets tomorrow for the first time under the new President and cabinet after it was prorogued earlier this week.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 9 )
|
|
|
|
|
Business / Economy News
|
Honours for top businessmen
Friday, 25 November 2005 - 2:07 AM SL Time
Several of the country`s captains of industry, top businesspersons and economists were among Sri Lankans who were conferred national honours by President Chandrika Kumaratunga, in one of her last official engagements, last week.
Among those who were conferred with the Desamanya title were former Central Bank Governor A.S. Jayawardene and present Governor Sunil Mendis, Harry Jayawardena, Lalith de Mel, Prof M.T.A. Furkhan, Mahesh Amalean, Mano Selvanathan, Nihal Jinasena, Deva Rodrigo, Sohli Captain, Tom Ellawela, Macky Hashim, Patrick Amarasinghe, Tilak de Zoysa and eminent economist Professor W.D. Lakshman.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
New budget to be presented on December 8
Friday, 25 November 2005 - 1:56 AM SL Time
A new budget will presented to Parliament on December 8, the government said yesterday.
Health and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, addressing yesterday`s cabinet press briefing, said that the new budget would reflect the policies enshrined in the `Mahinda Chintana` which was endorsed by the people at the recently concluded presidential election.
The budget presented by the Chandrika Kumaratunga government on November 8, lapsed when President Rajapakse prorogued Parliament on November 21, a day before its second reading.
Parliament will reconvene today for the new President`s policy statement.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Golden handshake a fishy affair
Friday, 25 November 2005 - 1:54 AM SL Time
Controversy surrounds the decision to offer a fresh Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) to Ceylon Shipping Corporation Ltd (CSCL) workers a week before the November 17 presidential poll.
According to a circular dated November 11, this facility would be available to all categories of employees except managers. The one million rupees compensation offered is believed to be the highest ever given to the public sector. The previous highest had been Rs. 700,000. Well informed sources claimed that the offer was made without obtaining the required approval from Ports and Shipping Minister Mangala Samaraweera and the Treasury.
The sources said that casual, contract and substitute workers, too, had been included fuelling speculation that the hierarchy wanted some `catchers` to benefit.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
|
|
|
|
| Sports News
|
Colombo Basketball Club`s unbeaten run continues
Friday, 25 November 2005 - 1:58 AM SL Time
Colombo Basketball Club`s unbeaten run in the Colombo Super League Basketball tournament continued when they beat Otters AC in an `A` Division fixture at the Depot Police courts, on Tuesday. The tournament commenced after a week`s break due to the Presidential elections, but there was no stopping the Colombo boys who went on to secure their fourth win in the competition.
A single basket separated the two teams when Colombo took a slender two-point lead at the end of the first half (31-29). But they seized the initiative in the second half winning by 12 points (69-57).
Otters had looked one of the better teams in the tournament and on paper were supposed to pose a threat to the defending champions, but Colombo, who are already through to the semis, won without much trouble.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Sri Lanka suffer heavy defeat
Thursday, 24 November 2005 - 3:18 AM SL Time
Sri Lanka`s Under-19 cricketers suffered a heavy 140-run defeat at the hands of hosts India, in the Afro-Asian Under-19 cricket tournament at the Ukku Stadium in India on Tuesday.
Batting first, India posted a mammoth 293 with Gourav Dhiman scoring a 98-ball 121 which included two sixes and 15 fours.
Chasing the target, Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals. Gaurav Dhiman, Yo Mahesh, Piyush Chawla and Shahabaz Nadeem claimed two wickets each as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 153 in 34 overs. Sachithra Serasingha (30), was the top scorer.
With this third straight win, India have 18 points and head the table, while Sri Lanka remain on 11 points.
In another match, Pakistan defeated South Africa by four wickets. Though they missed the bonus point, Pakistan (12 points), are still in the race for a berth in the final.
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Atapattu seeks first Test win in India
Thursday, 24 November 2005 - 3:15 AM SL Time
Sri Lanka`s cricket team left the island on Wednesday afternoon for their first Test series in India in eight years and captain Marvan Atapattu indicated his side is keen on recording their first Test win on Indian soil, despite a 6-1 drubbing in the One Day matches.
Sri Lanka`s first leg tour of India consisting of seven One Day Internationals spelt disaster for the team as they were humiliated by a 6-1 drubbing.
`I am looking forward to the Tests due to quite a few reasons. First, we want to put things right after a disappointing tour earlier on and then we haven`t been there for eight years and we haven`t won a Test match in India,`
Atapattu also admitted that the ODI defeats let the team`s confidence down. `Confidence took a severe beating. It`s a defeat that we all need to take blame for.`
Full Story
Post Reply To This
Read Replies ( 2 )
|
|
